Please post your two cents on Herceptin "side effects" real or perceived!

[Allie1947]

I was diagnosed with ibc in Oct. 2006...started chemo in Dec. 2006, getting treatments every 3 weeks. Then started weekly treatments of taxol and herceptin in Feb. 2007. I'm in my 6th week...with 6 more weeks to go. During this time my hair has started to grow back in slowly...lost that after the first dose of chemo in Dec. My symptoms with taxol and herceptin are as follows:

aches in feet and legs, especially after going to bed
fatigue
brittle nails
dry skin
sinus issues
dry nose...with some bleeding
headache
body aches and pains
joint stiffness
back pain...which I attribute to a previous condition of sciatica, but maybe not.
insomina....
memory loss...often can't remember particular words, which could be related to lack of sleep, I suppose.

and ...something new...my heart seems to be pounding a little harder..and I find I'm feeling like I can't get enough oxygen at times. Will let Dr. know on Friday when I see him as this hasn't bothered me much before.

[SandyR]

Allie, by all means you need to get to the doctor....
While on herceptin your doctor should be monitoring your heart with a Muga Scan. Herceptin can lower your heart's ejection fraction for your left ventricle and you could go into a temporary heart failure.
If this happens, it is reversible by giving your body a rest from herceptin.
Good luck!

SandyR

[StillHere]

I never connected my running eyes to my Herceptin use, but now it makes sense as it has stopped since I had to discontinue due to LVEF of 40 last year. I just thought it was a cold, or sinus issues. Not that I had ever had eyes that tear up and run down my face for no reason before. It did not start right away. I was 5 to 6 mos into Herceptin treatment before I had the eye tearing thing. I have also had just about every symptom listed in above threads, but very tolerable.

[gin-tx]

Yes, all the symptoms you are experiencing are from Herceptin. This wonder drug sometimes is a pain to deal with but is still a wonder. It's kept me going for the past 9 mo. If my ins co would just pay for all of it, that's another issue.
I have constant runny nose, insomnia, joint pain, pain in feet at night, had acid reflux before but it's gotten worse, think that's enough. But I deal with it and try to keep going. Hope this finds you doing well, you've had a lot to deal with.
This is my 2nd episode of Bc, other was 11 yrs ago. But totally different types of tumors, the latest was much more aggressive.

Keep me informed of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com